During the 1916 US Army "Punitive Expedition" into Mexico to capture Poncho Villa, Major Thorn is assigned the job of finding and documenting soldiers who have committed heroic acts worthy of a Medal Of Honor. In an attempt to keep them alive until they actually receive the medal, he has General Pershing permit him to take the five he has documented back to base at Cordura. He also must take along an American woman who has been accused of espionage.

Attacked by Mexican bandits, they lose their horses and must walk across the harsh desert for several days. During an earlier engagement, Torn committed a cowardly act and is searching for the qualities that make a hero. It turns out that in the end he is the hero amongst a group of cowards and cut throats. ( )